By Alex
<>thoughts<>
*****flashbacks****
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Chapter 20
Buffy woke slowly, her eyes
protesting painfully at the brightness of the sunlight that flooded their
bedroom. She felt the comfortably familiar weight of her lover on her chest.
The still groggy blonde opened her eyes and looked down at the red-head that
was sprawled out over her covering her body.
On an impulse Buffy buried her
face in the tousled red hair inhaling deeply, enjoying the intoxicating scent
of her beloved witch.
<>This has got to be what
Heaven is like.<> she mused happily. <>I have no idea what I’ve
done in my life so right that gives me the chance to be with her, but I will
thank whatever god is responsible for this every minute of everyday for the
rest of my life, and it still won't be enough.<>
Buffy pulled her head back, sighed
softly and found herself looking into of the most beautiful sleepy eyes in the
universe.
“Hey.” Willow said sleepily.
“Hey yourself, sleepyhead.” Buffy
answered, smiling down at the substitute blanket, amazed at how just the sound
of Willow’s voice turned her on. “You ready to get up?”
“Don’t wanna get up.” The sleepy
red head pouted. “Feels too good right here.”
To make her point Willow snuggled
into Buffy causing their bodies to rub, eliciting a moan from the already
aroused Slayer’s throat. She let a hand slowly slide down her lover’s side, so
that it just grazed her skin raising goose bumps over Willow’s skin.
The tiny blonde brought the hand
around to cup a soft breast and began teasing the already hard nipple with her
thumb, forcing a sensual growl from the redhead. Willow smiled sexily up at her
lover and began licking and kissing any of Buffy’s exposed skin she could
reach, enraptured by the taste.
The highly aroused witch gently
grabbed some of her lover’s skin between her teeth. Buffy growled and pulled
Willow up to her until their lips met, gently at first then more passionate,
more insistent.
Buffy lightly nipped at her
lover’s lower lip demanding entrance. The witch’s lips parted obligingly
allowing the impassioned Slayer’s tongue to enter and explore freely the depths
of her mouth.
Buffy devoured Willow’s sweet
mouth as both lovers let themselves sink into the pleasurable sensations
washing over their bodies, bringing their every nerve ending to life. They
shivered as chills of excitement ran up and down their spines. They finally
pulled back from the kiss, forced by lack of air.
“Gods I want you so bad it hurts,”
the Slayer moaned, and began licking and nipping at Willow’s neck.
Buffy slid her hands down Willow’s
back relishing the feel of the muscles flexing and relaxing under the soft
smooth skin. Then grasping her lover’s taught rear, Buffy pulled her witch
tighter against her enjoying the heat radiating from the redhead’s body.
Willow opened her eyes and saw the
clock next to the bed and with a groan of disappointment reluctantly pushed
away from her persistently grasping blonde lover.
“Buffy, we gotta stop baby.”
Willow told her already over-aroused Slayer. “I’m sorry hon, but it’s already
nine and our wedding is today, in case you forgot.”
She had forgotten in the heat of
the moment, but wasn’t about to admit it to Willow. With a loud growl of
frustration Buffy tried to pull the redhead back into the embrace, but the
determined witch wasn’t giving in.
“Come on lover we can’t, there’s
not enough time.” Willow insisted, pushing on Buffy’s chest. “Do you really
want Cordelia or worse one of our mothers to come barging in here in the middle
of us making love?”
The visual of Willow’s mother
walking in and finding Buffy nestled comfortably between her daughter’s legs,
happily lapping away while Willow writhed and moaned (or screamed as she
normally did) effectively put the damper on the Slayer’s lust.
With a final roar of total
frustration, Buffy released her lover and quickly got out of their bed.
“Real nice visual Wills.” The
Slayer growled in frustration, her voice thick with pent up lust. “You win this
one, but just remember my smug little witch, I’ll get you back. You just wait
Willow Rosenberg. You’ll get yours.”
“Ooo, I can hardly wait.” Willow
purred seductively, as she headed for the bathroom with an exaggerated sway to
her hips. “I’ll settle for your promises for now, but later I expect you to
live up to every one of them Chosen One.”
With a giggle the redhead was
through the door before Buffy could react. The bride to be laughed and shook
her head at her lover’s behavior. She slipped on her robe and began getting
things together for later.
“Oh man,” the Slayer muttered to
herself. “I’d better conserve my strength. I’ve got a feeling that a certain
red-head isn't going to take ‘I’m tired’ for an answer tonight.”
Willow returned wearing only a
towel and using another to dry her hair.
Buffy looked at her and a wistful
smile lit up her face.
“I’ve never seen anyone look that
good wearing a towel,” the blonde sighed. “Those super models got nothin’ on my
Wills.”
Willow blushed shyly at this
unexpected compliment, turning her lover on even more.
“You know.” Buffy purred, as she
took a step toward the object of her desire. “It wouldn’t take all that long if
we...”
“Don’t even go there, Miss
Overheated Slayer.” Willow said, holding up her hand to stop her approaching paramour.
“We don’t have time to do it right and if we can’t do it right, I don’t want to
do it at all.” Faced with that kind of
logic, Buffy had no choice but to retreat.
“Oh all right,” the blonde
mumbled, as she walked toward the second bathroom seriously pouting.
Willow thought her lover was so
adorable she almost gave in, but was stopped by the ringing of their door bell.
<>Whew!<> she thought
relieved. <>Talk about saved by the bell.<>
“Cheer up Slayer,” the witch
called to her partner’s retreating back. “Soon you’ll be too busy to be horny.”
“Yeah right!” came the answering
growl. “Wanna bet?”
Cordelia, true to form was the
first to arrive and instantly took charge, rushing the two soon to be weds all
over the house, while handling all the last minute details that could only be
done the day of the wedding and any last second emergencies that occurred.
The girl was a wonder. Several of
the people from the wedding suppliers asked if she was interested in party and
wedding planning professionally. Cordelia was flattered and promised them she’d
think about it.
“Just think Cordy.” Both of her
friends told her when they heard of the offers. “It’s the perfect career. You
get to push people around, spend their money and get paid for it. It’s the
perfect job and you’d be the best at it.”
Their friend blushed at their half
serious teasing. But before she could say anything, Cordelia saw one of the
florists trying to bring in the wrong flowers and was off in a flash to pounce
on the unsuspecting miscreant.
******
Around noon Willow headed for her
parent’s house. Even though neither of them were speaking to her mother,
Willow’s father insisted they still hold the ceremony in his huge back gardens.
So with Xander driving she
prepared to face the dreaded mother monster, while Joyce and Cordelia took
Buffy to her mother’s house to get ready under the intensely close supervision
of Cordelia and Joyce.
Being a normal mother Joyce had
tried to put in her 2 cents worth over the wedding plans. But unlike Sheila
Rosenberg, Joyce Summers knew when to just back off and let her daughter take
care of things. All of them were hoping for the best but expecting the worst.
Four o’clock that afternoon found
a very nervous Willow standing in front of an altar in her parents beautifully
landscaped back garden, fidgeting, with Xander unobtrusively rubbing the small
of her back trying to soothe her ragged nerves.
“Hey Will,” Xander whispered.
“What’s the matter, afraid the Buffster’s gonna run off with Cordy and leave
you standin’ at the altar?”
Willow glared up at her life long
friend and saw his brown eyes sparkling with humor at her expense.
“Shut up Xander,” the witch
growled with mock jealousy. “If I recall correctly it wasn’t all that long ago
that your girlfriend was making comments about my fiancee’s cute little rear
end.”
“What!” Xander blurted out,
shocked at his friend's comment.
This time it was Willow with the
mischievously evil smirk. Xander more felt rather than heard the redhead’s
chuckle.
“Ha, ha very funny,” he muttered
under his breath. “Nothin’ worse than a witch that thinks she”s funny.”
Thanking the Goddess for her best
friend and his overactive sense of humor, Willow also took the time to send her
thanks to whichever Gods were responsible for the perfect weather, so that they
were able to have the outdoor wedding they had both wanted.
The witch’s thoughts were
interrupted by a commotion at the back of the assembled guests. She looked back
wondering what was going on when she was struck breathless by the sight that
met her eyes. Giles looked positively handsome in his new Armani tux and
Cordelia was a regal vision in her light blue gown (the color inspired by
Willow’s “Xander in a blue tux” remark) but they all came in a pale second
compared to the heart stopping revelation on the librarian’s arm.
Buffy was the quintessential
beautiful bride, not that she didn’t think the petite blonde was beautiful all
the time, but now on this day at this place she was far beyond anything as
mundane as beautiful. In fact Willow’s
vocabulary failed her. Words like gorgeous, etherial, and magnificent were
somehow inadequate to describe the vision that filled the redhead’s very being
with unbearable joy.
She was so affected by the sight
she forgot to breath until the burning of her oxygen starved lungs reminded
her.
“Come on girl, breathe damn it.”
Willow told herself. “By the Gods, she’s so beautiful it hurts.”
“Whoa, you got that right,” Xander
whispered in answer, surprising his friend who hadn’t realized she'd spoke out
loud.
When Buffy saw her beloved looking
at her and recognized the look in the awestruck witch’s eyes, the Slayer smiled
shyly dazzling her intended even more.
“Will, you’re gonna be alright.”
Xander whispered in her ear, causing her to realize her whole body was
trembling at the sight of her bride.
<>Breathe, Willow,
breathe.<> she told herself, while nodding to reassure her best man.
<>She’ll kill you if you pass out now and that would sure put a damper on
the old wedding night.<>
Xander gave his witchy friend a
strange look when he saw her blush, then heard her chuckle under her breath.
Willow lost all contact with her
surroundings, her eyes were captured and held by the most beautiful creation in
the universe. The Slayer seemed to glow with a pure white light that eclipsed
the sun itself.
She felt her legs go weak and her
knees threatened to buckle, but by the strength of her resolve not to embarrass
her bride kept upright.
“I can’t believe she wants me,”
the redhead whispered to her best man. “If all these people weren’t here you'd
see the world’s happiest happy dance.”
Xander couldn’t help himself and
blurted out a loud laugh that he tried unsuccessfully to disguise as a cough.
For just an instant all eyes were
on the terminally embarrassed best man.
Then the organ began and the
spectators turned to see what Willow had already seen, the petite blonde’s
presence transcended any possible written definition or phrase leaving everyone
stunned by her almost supernatural beauty.
The sound of the collective gasp
was nearly deafening.
Willow watched mesmerized as Giles
and Buffy walked slowly down the aisle toward her, she could feel the nervous
perspiration beading on her upper lip and without thinking licked it off.
Once they were standing next to
her and Giles placed the Slayer’s hand into Willow’s they looked into each
other’s eyes.
Buffy gave her lover one of her
patented 300 watt smiles and suddenly the only thing that mattered to the
redhaired witch was spending the rest of her life making this Goddess in human
form happy.
At Buffy’s prompting Willow
remembered where they were and that there were others there also, they turned
to face the Rabbi that had consented to officiate the unorthodox ceremony.
She smiled at the two young women
facing her and could see the overwhelming love that radiated from the couple
and smiled reassuringly at them.
She had known Giles since his
‘Ripper’ days and was fully aware of the significance of what was occurring and
her part in it.
Turning her attention to the
gathering behind the couple it was apparent that not everyone was as
enthusiastic over this occasion as others.
“It is my great honor to have been
asked by these two young people to be here today.” the Rabbi began, surveying
the crowd and letting her piercing grey eyes settle on each less than happy
face out there resting the longest on Willow’s mother. “This is the most
important time of their lives and if there are any here that cannot share the
joyful spirit in which it is intended they should leave now rather than allow
their negativity mar this otherwise perfect day.”
Pausing to allow any that wished
to leave to do so, the Rabbi smiled at the two women facing her. When no one
moved the Rabbi continued.
“Now that we are all agreed to
share their joy,” the Rabbi restarted. “And as the unusual nature of this
occasion is somewhat outside my training, it is my belief that Buffy and Willow
have written their own vows. At this time I turn it over to them. Willow, I
believe you are first.”
Willow turned to face her beloved
and gazed into the two brightest points of light in her universe. Gulping hard
then clearing her throat she began.
“Buffy, I don’t have the words to
adequately describe my feelings for you,” the trembling Wyccan began. “You are
the sun that lights my days and the moon that blesses my nights. Without you I’m empty. I’d be wandering
aimlessly through life with no direction no goals never knowing the true
meaning of friendship, life, or love. Because of you I have purpose. I have a
reason to believe that tomorrow will be worth living and that no matter what
all my tomorrows bring they will be better for your having been with me.
Without you the universe makes no sense and there is no reason to go on.
You are the rest of me.
You are my strength and my
courage.
You are more to me than life
itself because you are my spirits guide.
When I am frightened you protect
me... When I am hurt you care for me.
When I am lost you give me
direction.
I promise to be at your side no
matter what we face we shall now and forever face it together.”
Both women were weeping
uncontrollably making it impossible for Buffy to read the things she had
written and so she decided to “wing it”.
“Willow, my Wills,” Buffy began,
letting herself get lost in the fathomless pools of her lover’s eyes. "I
still can’t believe where we are. My greatest fear is that I’ll wake up and
find this is all just some wonderful dream. I remember the day I met you and
asking who is this beautiful soul and why does she appear to like me. I think
even then my heart knew you, that my soul felt the pull of your soul, but being
young and naive I simply chalked it up to friendship. I was right, but over the
years since that day you have redefined that term until without either of us
realizing it our feelings past beyond friendship into the realm of true deep
lasting love and respect.
Now we have at last come to that
point where we must stop denying the truth that we both know. It is time to
leave the half-truths of our childhood and start on the interwoven path that
our destinies have laid before us.
I can’t do this alone.
I need my Willow to be with me.
You are the rock that anchors me.
Your goodness keeps me from go
over to the darkness that has nearly claimed me many times.
You are my other half, the soul
that completes mine.
Without you I’d have lain down and
died long ago.
I love you with every fiber of my
being. I give you my heart, my mind, my body, and my soul.
Do with what you will but I beg
you to love them and hold them near your heart because that’s the only place I
truly want to be.”
Unable to continue, the two teary
eyed young women turned to face the Rabbi. She smiled down at these two bright
loving faces and was struck once again by the deep abiding unquestioning love
they had for each other.
The sight brought tears of hope
and happiness to the older woman’s eyes. She looked out over the gathering and
saw that there was not a dry eye in the place.
During this she had Xander and
Cordelia give her the rings, the Rabbi looked at the two identical silver rings
and gasped quietly as a jolt of unknown power shot up her arm.
She held her hand that was holding
the rings to the couple and could feel a powerful vibration filling the air as
lightening shot across the cloudless sky.
“The rings symbolize the strength
and depth of your commitment to each other. By giving them you are inviting
your partner into your life and by accepting them you are pledging to love and
respect them to the exclusion of all others,” the Rabbi said quietly, almost as
if the words were meant solely for the couple being joined.
Once the two had given and
received their rings the Rabbi reached and took their joined hands into hers
and when they looked at her she spoke. “The path the two of you have chosen to
follow is a path less travelled. The days ahead of you will hold many trials as
well as joys and the two of you have chosen to face them together.
That is a good thing in this
world.
Just be sure to be there for each
other. Let no day end without showing and telling your partner what their love
and support means to you. Your life will never be the same. But remember you
are no longer forced to face your trials and tribulations alone and that you
have the unwavering love of each other to rely on.”
She smiled and looked out to the
spectators and turned to the two that were now one and smiled. “As much as
these two young people have pledged their commitment to each other in words and
symbolically with the exchange of rings, by the power afforded me both by my
beliefs and those assembled I declare these two souls joined and would
introduce them for the first time as Buffy and Willow Rosenberg-Summers.”
Both Buffy and Willow were beaming
and blushing as the gathering stood and cheered theirs union.
Xander leaned in and whispered
into Willow’s ear. “Come on Will, you’re supposed to kiss her or something.”
Willow took her new wife’s chin in
her hand and gently turned the red faced blonde’s head to face her, then softly
pressed her lips to Buffy’s giving her a chaste loving kiss, not wanting to
embarrass her or any of the others.
Buffy figured out what she was
doing and wrapped her arms around Willow’s neck and proceeded to kiss the
redhead passionately not releasing the kiss until the lack of oxygen became an
issue.
“Wow!” was all Willow could gasp
out when her lover finally released her.
“That should hold you till tonight
my little witch.” Buffy told her with a wicked smile. “Now let’s go. Cordy’s
got a party planned and the sooner we get there the sooner we can get started
on the Honeymoon.”
Buffy grabbed her new wife’s hand
and led the still partially stunned woman back up the aisle to the limo
Willo’'s father had gotten them. The Slayer dove into the back of the long
black vehicle and pulled a very willing redhead in with her.
As the chauffeur shut the car
door, nearby guests could hear a giggling Slayer say.
“To the party Jeeves and step on
it.”
The long shiny black limousine
pulled smoothly into the parking lot followed closely by two shorter
chauffeured vehicles. All of them came to a stop at the front of the big brick
building that had been rented for the reception.
Xander, Cordelia, Giles, and Joyce
Summers exited the second car and went directly into the building followed by
Ira and Sheila Rosenberg.
After several minutes a frustrated
Sheila Rosenberg came storming out of the building and began pounding on the
door of the limo that still contained the newlyweds.
“Willow!” the angry woman shouted.
“Will you and your little friend get out here right now?"
When she received no answer, Mrs.
Rosenberg pounded so hard it hurt her hand which made her even madder at the
two young women in the car.
“Willow Rosenberg!” she yelled at
the top of her lungs, her face beet red with anger. “Get out here this instant.
The guests will be arriving any minute now and we need to set up the receiving
line. This ‘marriage’ is bad enough without the added embarrassment of being
rude.”
That worked better than she
wanted. The door flew open and an extremely enraged and disheveled Willow
Rosenberg-Summers jumped out of the limo and into her mother’s face.
“I’ve had just about enough of
your attitude mother,” Willow growled, her entire body trembling with rage and
hurt. “If you don’t like the idea of my wife and I letting the world know of
our love, then there is no reason for you to be here and believe me, after the
way you’ve acted the last few weeks neither of us would miss you in the least.
I will personally see to it that you are escorted home and we’ll make sure that
daddy gets home after the reception. So what is it mother, are you staying or
leaving?”
“Honey, please don’t do this,”
Buffy whispered in her wife’s ear. She had followed Willow out of the limo and
had stood calmly behind her during the redhead’s outburst at her overbearing
mother. “You know how your mother is and it isn’t fair to expect her to become
a different person over night. This is our day don’t let her ruin it.”
Hearing her lover’s plea on behalf
of her own aggravating mother touched the witch on so many levels that it took
all her will not to release the flood of tears that threatened to flow in
rivers from her eyes. It was hard to believe that after everything her mother
had done to them, her new bride still came to her defense. Even if they both
thought that. The guilt of throwing her mother out of the reception would have
wrecked the entire day for Willow, and Buffy was really thinking of her lover
when she spoke.
Sheila looked at the petite blonde
slack jawed with surprise at her words.
“I’m sorry love,” Willow said.
embarrassed when she calmed enough to realize they were standing outside and
that people were beginning to arrive. “If you plan on staying mother, you’d
better come in with us. Just remember one more comment about my wife or our
relationship and you are out of here, not to mention out of our lives. Do you
understand me?”
“Yes I understand.” Mrs. Rosenberg
said in defeat, realizing that she’d over-stepped herself and how lucky she was
that her daughter’s friend had spoken up for her. “I’m sorry dear, I shouldn’t
have said that.” Silently accepting her mother’s apology, Willow turned and
wrapped her arm around Buffy’s waist kissing her lightly.
“You are truly amazing, you know that?”
the redhead told her bride. “Every time I think I know how you'll react to
something, you turn around and do something like this. I so love you.”
“Of course you do.” Buffy said,
smiling with complete adoration at her love. “Don’t you remember? I’m irresistible.”
Both of the newlyweds broke into
peals of laughter as they led the way to the doors.
************
The rest of the reception went
fairly smoothly, thanks to Cordelia’s taking the time to research what was
expected at both the usual reception and what was done at a typical Jewish
reception.
In order to keep the peace with
Willow’s family, she had been sure to have a band to handle the traditional
dances and activities so that the Rosenberg’s relatives were satisfied.
Once that part of the party was
over and most of the older crowd had left, Cordelia had arranged for the DJ
from the Bronze to take over the musical entertainment.
Having prepared for the change in
atmosphere the girls had Xander go out to their cars in the parking lot and
bring in their bags that had a change of clothes.
Once they were dressed in more
casual clothing and the Rosenberg’s had gone on home the two lovers felt free
to relax and enjoy themselves.
Surrounded by their friends they
knew they had no reason to worry about offending anyone, and were free to
express their intense feelings for each other.
They danced, drank, laughed, and
had fun with their guests, not to mention many PDAs. Finally they reached the
point where they were getting tired and Buffy began talking about retiring to
the posh hotel that their friends had all chipped in and got them for their
wedding night.
“I know you’re tired honey.”
Willow whispered in the Slayer’s ear. “But if you’ll just give me one more
dance we’ll ditch this place and head for the sheets, okay?”
“Anything for you sweetie.” Buffy
answered, while nibbling at her lover’s ear, causing the witch to groan. “But
don’t take too long. I need to have you now. And if you don’t want to live one
of Xander’s fantasies, you'll be getting me out of here soon.”
“No probs, babe.” Willow said,
gulping hard. “Just a little patience. I promise it’ll be worth it. I hope.”
Willow went over and said
something to the DJ who smiled and nodded to her, then reached out and shook
the girl’s hand. Willow turned and strolled back to her curious lover, smiling
brightly.
“What are you up to?” the blonde
asked suspiciously, as she melted into her beloved’s arms.
“It’s just...well..I kinda...this
is...” Willow tried to explain, tongue tied with emotion. “Ever since this song
came out it’s made me think of you and how I felt about you. I’d be willing to
bet I wore out 10 or 20 of these CDs just listening to it over and over. And I
figured I’d share it with you and hope it meant as much to you as it does to
me.”
“I’m sure it will, my love.” Buffy
answered, her voice thick with the deep feelings she felt at her lover’s
admission.
Willow gathered Buffy into her
arms tightly, as the DJ began the CD and the music came flooding from the sound
system. The Slayer felt as much as heard her partner singing softly into her
ear.
******
{{“And I’d give up forever to
touch you
Cause I know that you
feel me somehow
You’re the closest to
heaven that I’ll ever be And I
don't wanna go home right now.”}}
*******
Buffy was oblivious to every thing
around her. Her entire being was focused on the beautiful alto voice of her
universe singing in her ear and the words being written on her soul.
*****
{{“And all I can taste is this
moment
And all I can
breath is your life
And sooner or
later it's over
I just don’t
wanna miss you tonight.”}}
*****
Willow could feel her heart
pouring out of her and into the woman she loved with each word. She was trying
to convey all the soul searing emotions that her heart felt for this tiny woman
that she was holding in her arms. Hoping all the while that her reason for
being was experiencing the same thing.
*****
{{“And I don’t want the world to
see me
Cause I think
that they’d understand
When
everything’s made to be broken
I just want you
to know who I am.”}}
*****
Both young were entranced with
each other and didn’t even notice when everyone else cleared the dance floor to
watch the tender moment occurring between the newlyweds.
*****
{{“And you can’t fight the tears
that ain’t comin.
Or the moment of truth in your lies
When everything
feels like the movies
And you bleed
just to know you’re alive.”}}
*****
Willow was overcome by her
emotions and her throat was too tight to finish to sing the final chorus. All
she could do was hold her Buffy tightly in her arms and let her feelings flow
in mute rivers into the ocean of her lover’s soul.
Knowing the deep need to express
herself that her new bride was trying to deal with, Buffy remained silent and
held on to the trembling red-head letting the waves of emotion wash over her.
When the music stopped they
continued to hold on to each other in the middle of the dance floor. In order
to minimise an awkward moment, Cordelia signaled the DJ to play something else
and, pulling Xander onto the dance floor, began to dance.
Thus drawing attention away from
the two entranced lovers, who were totally absorbed in each other, oblivious to
those around them.
Finally remembering that they
weren’t alone the newlyweds went to the bar to have one last drink before
sneaking out.
Raising their glasses to Cordelia
in thanks for all her hard work, they finished the drinks in one gulp.
They were setting down their
drinks in preparation to leave when one of their friends came up to them and
handed Buffy a note.
“I don’t know what it is,” the
young man explained. “This guy I’ve never seen before, that was dressed like
Rambo or something, gave it to me and asked me to bring it to you. To be honest
he was kinda scary so I did what he said, I hope that’s okay.”
“No problem Jerry.” Willow told
the obviously still frightened young man while her partner read the note. “It’s
probably a good idea that you did. Cause if it's from who I think it is, you’re
right, he is scary.”
Mumbling his thanks the young man
rejoined the rest of the party and went back to enjoying the festivities.
Willow turned and looked at her lover as the blonde read the note.
“What is it, Buffy?” Willow asked,
worried that their one night honeymoon was about to be called off. “Is
everything alright?”
“I guess it's okay,” the Slayer
mumbled as she finished the missive and handed it to the witch. “Check it out
for yourself and see what you make of it.”
Willow took the note from her
partner and the first thing she noticed was the heavy bond paper that it was
written on. Next she saw that it was written with a neat flowing hand that
while written with an ancient form of lettering but the note was easy to read
and was obviously written by a well educated and in an aristocratic style by
someone with lots of practice at writing reports and messages.
The most surprising and somewhat
frightening thing was who it was from and what they wanted. She read it over
several times to be sure that she hadn’t misunderstood it's meaning.
To The Slayer and The Sorceress
Ladies,
I would greatly appreciate it if
you would both meet myself and my
personal guard in the parking lot.
We mean you no harm and wish to
relay information that I am sure you
will find both necessary and at
least partially welcome.
Please come as it would be inconvenient
for all concerned if I was
compelled to enter the building to
deliver my message.
With Respect
Kresis
Count of the First Circle
Lord of the House of Red Swords
Willow looked at her wife and
waited for her to indicate what course of action they would take.
“Well it looks like he’s given us
no choice.” The Slayer said, shrugging her shoulders. “I thought about having
you stay here, but he asked for both of us and besides that you wouldn’t stay
anyway.”
“You’re darn skippy on that.”
Willow announced fiercely. “That’s the deal now. Where you go, I go, no
discussion no, compromises. You got that almighty Slayer?”
“Yes my loving wife and
Sorceress.” Buffy said, beaming at the redhead’s resolve and devotion. “All or
nothing from now on.”
“You got it,” the witch agreed,
and linked arms with her lover. “Let’s go sweetie. We got a Count to see.”
The two women walked out of the
building and stepped into the well lit parking lot. They strolled casually over
to Willow's car and leaned on it to await their visitor.
They didn’t have to wait long.
Two dark figures separated from
the shadows surrounding the parking area and slowly approached them keeping
their hands in sight to make the point that they were unarmed and came in
peace. Willow took the time to study the two entities the were coming toward
them.
One was the soldier she’d seen
after the fight with Hela, she could tell by the way he moved and the black
patch over his right eye.
The other was the tall regal ‘man’
that had confronted the demoness and although he had failed to destroy or
capture her, he had caused her to run away. He was walking with a slight limp
and Willow saw that he was missing his right arm.
When they were within a couple of
feet Buffy stopped them.
“I think that’s close enough
gentlemen,” the Slayer said holding out a hand “I believe you said you had some
news for us. So what is it? We have friends to get back to.”
“Ah right to the point Slayer, I
can respect that,” the one armed ‘man’ remarked with a slightly quirky smile.
“Especially on ones wedding night.”
He gripped the Slayer’s forearm in
the traditional warrior’s greeting, followed by the second figure. The Count
then turned and lifting Willow’s offered hand let his lips brush across the
back of her hand.
Willow blushed at this courtesy
and a low defensive growl came from her lover. In respect for the Slayer’s
feelings the Count released the hand and stepped back. His companion simply
bowed respectfully to the witch then rejoined his commander.
“First I suppose I should
introduce my companion and myself.” Kresis said, looking at the two warriors
that had fought him and Hela to a stand still, his respect for them rising as
he realized how young they were. “As I said in my note, I am Count Kresis and
this is my aide, general, and friend Caladin, and first I would like to convey
our congratulations and best wishes on this momentous occasion.”
“Thank you.” Willow answered
quickly, before her lover could come up with an insult for these unexpected
allies. “But I’m sure you didn’t go through all the trouble to get us out here
just to wish us well.”
“Quite so, Sorceress,” the Count
answered. “I can see you are perceptive as well as powerful and beautiful. No
we didn’t come here to wish you well, I am here to give you some good news and
a warning. First of all we have searched thoroughly and all indications are
that our mutual opponent has left not only this town, but this country all
together. We will continue to hunt the bitch until we have delivered her to
justice in our home realm. However I must warn you that Hela is a spiteful and
vindictive being and as long as she is free to roam your realm neither of you
is completely secure. She hates to lose and she despises loose ends, and the
two of you are both. Do not doubt for a second that she will be trying to come
up with a way to get back at you both in the most painful way she can conceive.”
“We thank you for the warning
Count.” Buffy said thoughtfully. “Believe me, we will take it to heart. I also
wish you luck in your hunt, for obvious reasons and to thank you, Caladin and
your warriors, for your best wishes and concern for our well-being. I only hope
that we are not forced to face each other as enemies at some future time.”
“I wish the same Chosen One.” came
Caladin’s gruff voice in reply. “But if that should come to pass, you will be
an enemy I will face with honor and respect. Be Well.”
The two figures bowed and turned,
quickly disappearing into the night, leaving the two young women looking at
each in wonder at the old battle scarred veteran’s parting words.
Willow looked over at her wife and
didn't need to know her thoughts to know what was going through her mind.
“Well that was semi-good news.”
Willow said lightly, trying to relieve some of the tension their visitors had
caused. “At least we can get through the rest of the joining without having to
worry about that not so nice female trying to take you away from me.”
She gave the Slayer one of her
best don’t-worry-about-me smiles and took the lovely blonde into a tight
embrace. Willow could feel the tense muscles relax as Buffy melted into the
warm loving pressure of the witch’s embrace.
It wasn’t long before all thoughts
of Kresis, Hela, or any future problems with either of them were driven from
the Slayer’s mind by her lover’s persistent attentions.
“What do you say we go inside, say
our goodbyes and get this honeymoon thing on the road?” Willow whispered into
Buffy’s ear. The warm air of the redhead’s breath washed over Buffy’s ear
causing the Slayer to shiver with excitement.
“Oh yeah.” the blonde said, her
voice horse with anticipation. “That’s the best idea I’ve heard since we got
here.”
Holding hands the two newlyweds
ran into the building and bid their remaining friends a fond farewell and told
everyone to stay as long as they liked. They were soon in Willow’s car and
headed toward the most exclusive hotel in Sunnydale.
Willow parked her car in the
covered lot and, after checking in at the front desk, the two excited young
women went to their room on the top most floor.
When they entered the room they
were both stunned by the opulence of the room (suite really) that their friends
had gotten them.
The entire suite was the very
definition of understated elegance. While under normal circumstances, they
would have spent hours exploring every inch of the rooms thoroughly. But on
this night, after a cursory examination, they were only interested in each
other.
They fell into each other’s arms
and began kissing each other passionately, tongues swirling around each other,
trying to inspect every centimeter of the other’s oral cavity, while anxious
hands tore off clothing desperate to feel and taste bare skin.
Both were breathing heavily,
interspersed with pleading whimpers for more intimate contact.
Finally, after their clothing was
scattered all over the area and their knees were ready to buckle with
unrequited lust, Buffy scooped her red-haired bride into her arms and without
breaking the kiss, carried her willing captive into the adjoining bedroom and
gently laid her on the soft comfortable oversized mattress.
Buffy looked deeply into the eyes
of her existence and saw only overwhelming love and all consuming passion
there.
Then with a growl of pure lust the
Slayer took the body that held the other half of her soul and the two lovers
spent the rest of the night satisfying the call of their needs and most primal
urges, their names being called out to the gods until they both collapsed in
total and sated exhaustion still holding each other as they drifted off into a
contented dreamless sleep.
The next morning, just as the sun
made it’s daily appearance on the Eastern horizon and shafts of red, orange,
and golden light lanced through the cloudless sky driving away the last
vestiges of night, the two still very tired women were wakened by a persistent
knocking at the heavy oak door of their suite.
A grumpy half asleep redhead
untangled herself from her blonde lover and, pulling on a robe, she went to
answer the door.
As Willow suspected, when she
opened the door she was greeted by two gray robed Druids. Their hoods were up
and it was impossible to see their faces.
They were accompanied by four
women that Willow recognized as members of the coven that was assisting with
their formal joining ceremony.
The six came in and one of the
priests faced Willow and placed his hands gently on her shoulders.
“It is time for you to prepare,
Sorceress,” the man informed her in a deep resonate voice that reminded the
witch of their friend Lugh. “You and your beloved, the sister of your soul,
must now accompany us to the place set aside for the preliminaries required by
tradition for the completion of your becoming as one.”
“I understand.” Willow answered
solemnly. “I will awaken my other half and we will follow your instructions.”
With a nod from the priest, Willow
and the four attendants went into the bedroom and, with a fair amount of
trouble, finally managed to wake a reluctant Buffy. With the assistance of
their attendants, both were dressed only in two intricately embroidered black
and silver, velvet robes.
Once they were ready the group joined
the two priests that were patiently waiting for them in the other room. Each
priest approached one of the two women and simultaneously explained the
procedures to be followed for the day.
“From now until tonight’s
ceremony, the two of you will be separated,” the priest’s droned. “We will be
with you through out the day to assist you in the various necessary rituals
that must be performed. This is the way it has been done for countless
generations and has been handed down by our forebears. Now if you will
accompany us after bidding your beloved a temporary farewell, the rituals shall
begin.”
With a quick kiss and whispered
words of encouragement, the two young lovers left each with one priest and two
of the females. Neither knowing for sure what they would face that day and each
knowing that no matter what was asked of them they would do it because that was
what was necessary for them to be together completely and forever.
If nothing else Willow was sure
this would be an adventure.
Wearing only the intricately
designed ceremonial robes given them by their attendants, Buffy and Willow
followed the priests down the back stairway to the covered parking area where
two identical unmarked panel vans were waiting for them, complete with drivers.
The doors were opened revealing an enclosed area with four comfortable looking
‘captains’ chairs.
“From here we go our separate
ways,” the first priest told them. “Slayer, if you will accompany my brother
and join him in that vehicle, he will see that all your questions are answered
to your satisfaction. You will be taken to a sacred place to complete your
preparations for tonight’s ceremony.”
With a nervous glance at the
enclosed van, Buffy turned an imploring look to her lover. Willow gave her a reassuring
smile and, with a show of total confidence, the witch climbed into the van
assigned to her.
The first priest and two of the
women followed the redhead into the van closing the doors behind them. Seeing
that her partner put her trust in these people, Buffy followed her example and
quickly climbed into the van and with some difficulty eventually made herself
comfortable in the reclining seat provided for the trip.
Once everyone was in their
respective places and getting a signal from their passengers, the drivers
started the vans and with profession skill eased them into traffic, pointing
them east toward the heavily wooded hills that over looked Sunnydale.
Unable to see the outside, Willow
relaxed into her seat and reached out to her partner with her mind. Feeling her
lover’s confusion and near panic at being separated from the other half of her
soul, Willow sent the Slayer reassuring and comforting thoughts hoping to calm
her lover and allay her fears for Willow’s well being.
Finally sensing the Slayer’s
uneasy acceptance of her companion’s thoughts, the young witch could feel her
lover reluctantly surrendering to the circumstance, temporarily at least.
That accomplished, the redhead
allowed herself to relax into the oversized reclining seat for the remainder of
the ride.
After a little over an hours ride
into the hilly wilderness overlooking Sunnydale, the van turned down a side
road that, judging by the sounds coming from the tires, was gravel instead of
the asphalt they’d been on.
Shortly the van slowed to a smooth
stop, and without any undue ceremony the doors of the van opened flooding the
compartment with sunlight, fresh air and the sounds of a beautiful summers
day. Willow followed the others out of
the van. She looked around and was pleasantly surprised.
“This is very nice.” Willow
commented, enchanted by her surroundings. “I only hope it’s not as rustic as it
appears."
“Don’t worry Sorceress,” the young
brunette attendant named Kati said softly, not wanting to disturb the peace of
the moment. “It may be isolated here, but the areas have all the modern
convinces, including telephones.”
“Thank the Goddess.” Willow sighed
wistfully, then looked around for the other van. “Where’s Buffy?”
“Your Slayer is at an almost
identical facility about a half mile from here,” the priest reassured her. “She
is going through the same preparations as you.”
“Okay. But I wish your friends
luck if Buffy doesn’t want to be prepared.” Willow chuckled softly, and not
without sympathy.
“That’s true, Sorceress,” the
second blonde haired attendant named Timmra quipped knowingly. “However I
believe both of you will find the process of preparation quite enjoyable.”
The two women giggled and Willow
noticed a conspiratorial glance between the two women that made her wonder just
what she was in for over the next several hours.
The priest gave a blessing over
the grounds and the three women and with a bow excused himself, promising to
return later in time to escort them to the circle for the ceremony.
Once he was gone the two women led
a leery redheaded witch to a small dome topped building. They opened the
entrance and Willow could smell the pleasant aroma of cedar mixed with herbs
and spices.
They led her into the small cedar
lined room and helped their charge out of her robe leaving her naked and bade
her sit on a long towel covered bench build into the back wall of the room.
As they left Kati flipped a switch
and turned a dial that started the system that produced steam by intermittently
spraying water on heated rocks. Then they left her there alone to relax, and
meditate while they attended to other details.
Willow sat back and let out a sigh
of contentment, telling herself to remember to thank the Goddess for whoever it
was that thought of this part of the preparations, they were true geniuses.
She was feeling almost too good
especially after a day like yesterday.
<>And a night like last
night.<> she thought to herself, a grin of pure animal pleasure on her
face.
It wasn't long before Willow’s
mind was feeling waves of pleasure from some where other than her own body.
A slow sexy smile came over her
face as her lover’s feelings joined her own. Their two kindred spirits communed
on an etherial plain far more harmonious than their own, as time became a thing
of no consequence. All that mattered was the feeling of true peace and
contentment that washed over them.
After what seemed an eternity
squeezed into a minute, Willow felt herself being drawn back to the confines of
her corporeal self. She frowned as she recognized the disturbance as someone
calling her name.
Willow looked up to put a face to
the soft yet insistent voice that interrupted her visions and frowned slightly
as the blonde’s name evaded her memory momentarily.
“Pardon me for disturbing you,
friend Willow,” the older woman apologised misinterpreting the frown. “But the
time has come for you to move forward with your preparations.”
“Oh...I..uh...I mean sure,
Timmra,” the witch almost shouted, as the attendant’s popped into her mind.
‘Don’t apologize. I was just thinking is all and I didn’t hear you until just
now.”
“That's alright, dear.” Timmra
assured her. “This is a big day for you and your Slayer and you’re allowed to
suffer from a little nervous tension. I mean I’m nervous, and Im only here to
assist.”
Both women laughed the tension
broken. Timmra handed the red-head a large fluffy towel to wrap around herself
and led her to a shower in the main cabin, so the sweaty young woman could
rinse off.
Once Willow was rinsed off, she
was instructed to wrap the towel around herself again and follow Timmra to
another room, where Kati was waiting for them standing next to a long narrow
padded leather table. The two attendants helped the now curious redhead up onto
the table
and, after removing the towel, had
Willow lay on her stomach.
As shy as she had always been,
Willow was more than a little unsure about being disrobed in front of these two
fairly unknown women.
Fortunately they had been chosen
for this duty for their ability to be reassuring to others no matter the
situation no matter how little they knew them.
It wasn’t long before the red-head
was laughing and chatting happily with her new found friends as if she'd known
them all her life and wasn’t totally naked while they were wearing hardly
anything themselves.
Once Willow was relaxed, Kati
retrieved two bottles of scented massage oil that had been warming in a pan of
hot water.
She and Timmra poured a liberal
amount of the fragrant oil in their hands and began gently rubbing it into the
soft skin of their charges neck and back.
Taking their time the two women
used their talented strong hands to work out every kink and knot in every
muscle in Willow's body, from her neck all the way down to the soles of her
feet.
When they finished massaging her
feet the redhead was so relaxed she couldn’t move. At least she didn’t think so
until Kati helped her roll over and the two women began to repeat the process
on the front side of the now very red witch.
The normally demure young woman
would have nearly fainted from embarrassment, but her life with Buffy and the
bond they shared had done wonders for her self esteem and confidence, but even
her new-found strength met it’s match when the two talented (and quite
attractive, she was forced to admit to herself) women began working their
wonders on the muscles of the front side of her fully exposed front.
The erotic possibilities of their
particular talent was not lost on their charge and she feared that any reaction
she might have to their admittedly enjoyable ministrations would be
misconstrued and create an undesired complication for all concerned.
Despite her fears the two women
ceased their attentions long before their charge felt anything but relaxed.
They left Willow to rest while the next phase of the process was being
prepared.
Once again Willow’s thoughts
floated to that etherial plane where she enjoyed complete freedom of spirit.
<>This has got to be what
Heaven is like.<> Willow thought to herself .<>I hope Buffy is
feeling this good.<>
A smile crossed her lips as she
reached and felt her lovers own feelings of pure pleasure.
<>I'll have to remember to
get some pointers from Kati and Timmra before we leave.<> the smiling
red-head decided. <>I bet even the Chosen One couldn’t resist this,
especially with a couple of extra moves added.<>
After allowing the young bride to
enjoy this rare opportunity to completely relax for a while, Kati returned for
her and led the still groggy witch to another room that contained a huge sunken
tub filled with hot scented water.
The two women helped Willow into
the tub, then gently bathed her. The redhead was nearly unaware of what her two
companion were doing until they were nearly finished. She was amazed a how
secure and safe these two, up till now, strangers had made her feel.
They left her up to her chin in
the tub, her back resting against the side of the fiberglass nirvana, her head
laid back over the edge, her eyes closed in total serenity. Willow was completely oblivious to the
concept of time and was totally unaware of the hour when her attendants
returned for her.
“The hour of your joining draws
near, friend Willow.” Timmra said, her clear soft voice gently interrupting the
young woman’s thoughts. “It is time to finish your preparations.”
“Ah okay if you say so,” the
redhead agreed. “But you have no idea how hard this is to leave.”
With a quiet chuckle the older
woman helped Willow from the tub and with Kati’s assistance, used large soft
towels to dry the slight red-head’s body.
They led her to another room where
they helped her, brushing out the scarlet shoulder length locks until they
shone with a luster all it’s own, the light reflecting flaming highlights
causing the halo effect that so enraptured her lover.
Finally they helped Willow into
her gown and stepped back to admire the results of their daylong efforts. Both
women gasped at the regal beauty of this naive yet powerful woman.
They had realized that she was
pretty when they had begun, but now the sight of her dazzled and humbled them.
Now they saw what Buffy saw every
time she looked at her beloved Willow.
“She truly is the great
Sorceress,” Kati, the younger of the two, whispered in awe of the sight.
:Yes she is my dear,” her elder
companion said reverently. “The true mate of the Slayer.”
Suddenly aware of their own need
to get ready the two women excused themselves.
“If you will wait in the entry
room we will join you shortly,” Timmra told her. “I believe you will find a
gift awaiting there for you.”
With a sly knowing smile the older
woman followed her friend out of the room.
As Willow entered the front room
of the cabin her nose was the first to notice that something in the room had
changed since she’d entered it hours earlier.
The fragrance of flowers assaulted
her sense of smell following her nose the witch saw a huge bouquet of
flowers. She smiled when she saw it
consisted of white roses (Buffy’s favorite) and her own favorite lilies.
Examining the floral display
closely Willow found a note written in her lovers well known hand.
For my Wills
With everything I am.
B.
Unfolding the paper the bleary eye
red head found an ancient poem that Buffy had liked from the minute Willow
showed to her.
Join with me under a garland of
stars,
Conifers
silent witness
To night winds echoed vows
Throughout
universal whiteness
The sepulchre of the Gods
Touch
me once for all time
All lives that are to be
Our
love enshrined
Join with me under the gaze of the
stars, Celestial
concourse, Bless our joy
Now and forever more
Join
me, my sister, my soul, my love.
Willow could feel the hot tears
fall from eyes to leave trails down her cheeks, and when her two companions
joined her and inquired as to the reason for her tears she showed them the
note. They too were soon in tears.
<>Thank the Goddess for
waterproof make-up.<> Willow thought with a slight smile. <>I got a
feeling it will get a work out before this night is through.<>
The three women’s tear-fest was
interrupted by a heavy knock on the door.
“Who is it?” Willow asked a little
more abruptly than she meant.
“It is time to go, Sorceress,” a
deep voice answered from the other side of the door. “I had hoped you were
expecting me, the moon is rising.”
“Sorry.” Willow said sheepishly,
realizing how harsh she’d sounded. “I hadn’t noticed the time.”
“That’s quite all right, my
child,” the priest returned, feeling an affinity for this young, powerful, yet
gracious witch he’d only just recently met. “A certain nervous anxiety is to be
expected on such a momentous occasion.”
Her two attendants helped her on
with her cloak and fastened it at the throat with the pentagram fastener.
The priest handed her the staff
she’d received from Teach Tu Dannan. Then, while the two other women placed and
secured a crown of Holly and Black Oak leaves on the soon to be joined woman’s
head, the priest intoned an ancient blessing.
“Now shall we proceed,” the older
man said and led the way out the door. “You will be blindfolded before we enter
the sacred grounds. I hope this is not a problem.”
“Of course not.” Willow stated.
“I’ve done my homework.”
That brought a smile to the
priest’s lips as he handed her a strand of rope that hung from his belt.
The priest and the two attending
witches each took up a torch that had been placed outside the cabin and lit
them from a small fire at the beginning of the path that led through the woods
to the clearing where the ceremony was to be held.
As she was led through the dense
woods by her escorts Willow began to hear a deep resonant chanting, in an
ancient language she’d never heard before, that grew louder with every step
they took. There was also the sound of drums and if her senses weren’t fooling
her someone was playing a flute.
It wasn’t long before the witch
could tell by the sounds and the feel of the atmosphere that her party had
reached the clearing.
Her blindfold was removed and she
found herself standing at one end of an aisle formed by people in either grey
Druid robes or the black and silver robes of Willow’s friends’ coven. Each was
holding a flaming torch.
Willow hesitated for a moment in
awe of the spectacle she beheld. Looking around she noticed the scene took on
an even more surrealistic appearance as a thick white fog rose from the ground
surrounding the clearing. She looked to the priest that had escorted her to the
area.
“Your destiny awaits Sorceress,”
the man said, softly indicating that she should proceed down the aisle. “Go
forth and join with your beloved.”
Willow took the candle offered her
by the priest, who then took his place with the others forming the aisle. She
walked slowly down the aisle hearing the gasps as many of those gathered were
seeing her for the first time in the green, velvet silver trimmed gown and
cloak given her by Brigit.
As she reached the center of the
clearing Willow set her eyes on her lover and as always was breathless at the
sight, but this time more than normal.
Buffy too was wearing the clothing
given her by the Morrigan, but the sight of her lover in the leather tunic,
short dark blue skirt and knee high leather boots set the young witch’s blood
on fire.
Buffy also wore a crown of Holly
and Black Oak leaves but, unlike Willow who wore her hair loose letting the
flaming waves cascade to her shoulders, the Slayer wore her blonde locks pulled
back into a French braid that hung down her back.
Thoughts of ravaging the blonde
beauty filled the redhead’s mind and reading her lover’s thoughts Buffy favored
her with a dazzling smile that told the hormonal young woman that they both
were feeling the same thing.
Continuing her walk toward the
altar where her lover waited Willow noticed the two coven members that stood
beside the Slayer. Remembering her time with the two women that were
accompanying her, she felt a momentary twinge of jealousy knowing that they had
touched her Slayer as intimately as Kati and Timmra had touched her.
The feeling was gone almost as
quickly as it came but not quick enough that the Slayer didn't notice her
lover’s feelings and gave her Sorceress a disapproving frown that fleetingly
crossed her features.
Willow felt a small pang of guilt
at her momentary lack of trust in her soulmate and quickly mouthed an apology
to her slightly hurt partner, who once again gave her that all forgiving
adoring smile that was reserved only for Willow.
As the witch approached the altar
the priests and witches holding the torches filed in after her forming a circle
around the altar and the wedding party.
When Willow reached her lover’s
side, Buffy leaned over and lightly kissed her beloved’s lips then side by side
they turned to face the altar.
A frail looking old priest in a
heavily decorated robe, leaning heavily on his intricately carved staff,
stepped up to the opposite side of the altar from the couple and their
sponsors.
He nodded to a younger man in a
pure white robe. The young priest held a large sword up and began walking
around the outside of the circle.
On his first trip around all was
silent. On the second trip he stopped at the compass points as the priest or
witch that stood there called that corner. That's when the first strange event
of the night happened.
The young priest’s first stop was
at the Northern point and as the priest that was there called for the guardian
of the element of earth, a huge white wolf stepped out of the thick
impenetrable fog and went directly to the north point where he sat and, with
his tongue hanging out in a canine smile, looked expectantly at the old priest.
The old man smiled and was heard
to say “Welcome Icerunner.” Then indicated for the young, obviously frightened,
priest to continue.
At the East corner a grey wolf
came out of the fog and, when seated, was greeted as Dawnchaser the guardian of
Air.
From the South came the red wolf
called Firewalker guardian of Fire and from the West came Wavedancer the black
wolf guardian of Water.
The now pale and shaken young
priest then began his third circuit of the circle he began chanting the casting
of the circle of protection, until he ended up where he started. He then
returned to the old high priest and awaited his next duty.
The old priest turned and looked
at the two young people in front of him and with an amused twinkle in his
surprisingly bright hazel eyes gave the now even more nervous couple a friendly
grin.
“I would call that an auspicious
start, wouldn’t you?” he said with an infectious chuckle. “It seems the powers
want you two together so I’d better get this dog and pony show on the road. An
old man like me can’t afford to get the powers mad at him.”
Everyone around the altar heard
him and they all couldn't help but let out a tense chuckle, which was what he
was shooting for.
Letting a serious expression come
over his features he pounded his iron-shod staff on the ground 3 times to call
everyone’s attention.
“You have come to this altar of
your own free will to join with your chosen mate,” he turned and looked at
Buffy and Willow who nodded their agreement then he continued to the
spectators. “Who sponsors and supports this union of souls?”
The four witches that had
accompanied them started to step forward to vouch for the couple but found they
couldn't move or speak. The air between them and the couple seemed to shimmer
and bend then three figures stepped out of a portal.
“That would be our place,” came the
husky voice of the statuesque redhead who turned to Buffy and smiled
mischievously. “Did you think this would go by without our notice Slayer?”
“Morrigan!” Buffy shouted, and
grabbed the tall woman in a fierce hug that would have broken a lesser person.
“Gods I’m glad you guys came, but we weren't sure it was allowed.”
Brigit walked up to a happily
tearful Willow and kissed her lightly on the cheek.
“You are restarting a circle that
we thought was gone for eternity.” The soft reassuring voice of Brigit began.
“And with the two of you taking over where we were forced to leave off, all
those many generations ago, we simply could not miss it.”
“Now that all is as it should be,
friend priest, let us begin.” Lugh called out, his deep voice reverberating through
the night air. “Before these women drown us in tears of joy.”
Morrigan sniffed and shot a
withering at her friend and ancient mentor, to which he returned a knowing and
compassionate smile.
“We have come to sponsor these new
Sisters of the Soul.” Morrigan announced proudly. “And to promise our support
and the support of all that follow our path.”
The old priest nodded his head and
for a moment was at a loss for words. Even he, who thought he’d seen
everything, had to admit that in all his years not once had a legendary god
figure actually come to a ceremony.
Now here in this quiet little burg
three of the most famous of the ancient Celtic legends had come to sponsor a
lesbian couple.
He shrugged his shoulders and
swore to himself to get good and drunk before he tried to comprehend what was
happening. The old priest picked up a razor sharp two edged dagger from the
altar and held it in front of him over the altar. Willow reached out her hand
and placed it palm up under the blade and Buffy placed her hand palm down over
the blade lacing her fingers with those of her love.
Morrigan picked up a long green
and white ribbon and tied it around their hands so that they held the knife
tightly between their palms.
Facing each other Buffy and Willow
gazed deeply into the eyes of the person they loved most in the world and
simultaneously began the ritual they’d learned by heart from the Book of Souls.
“I give you that which is mine to
give.”
The voices of the two lover’s
recited harmonised, their expressions showing that they meant every word they
were saying.
“I am free but I shall serve you
in those ways you require and the Honeycomb will taste sweeter coming from my
hand.”
The words were at once ancient and
timely
“I pledge to you that yours will
be the name I cry out in the night
Yours will be the eyes into which
I smile each morning.
I pledge to you the first bite of
my meat, and the first drink from my cup.
I pledge to you my living and my
dying each equally in your care.
I shall be the shield at your back
and you at mine.
I shall not slander you nor you
me.
I shall honor you above all others
and when we quarrel we shall do so in
private, and tell no strangers our
grievances.
This is my joining vow to you.
This is a joining of equals.
A joining of sisters.”
The old priest looked at the two
young women and quietly scanned them with a knowing eye and judged that these
two women were entering this union seriously and with their eyes open, free of
illusions.
He then looked at the three rather
imposing figures standing behind them and with a nod from Lugh he began the
blessing. But this was one he’d never done before.
This binding was far more than any
he’d ever done before, the power present at this ceremony was at a
frighteningly high level, giving him pause at what the two young women had
insisted upon.
However he remembered that this
was no ordinary joining and felt compelled to carry out their wishes.
He cleared and in a voice that
belied his age intoned the words that had been given him.
“These promises you make,
By the Sun and the
Moon
By Fire and Water
By Day and Night
By Land and Sea
With these vows you swear by the
God and Goddess
To be full partners each to the
other
If one drops the load the other
will pick it up
If one is discredited, the other
her honor
will be forfeit, generation upon
generation until she repair that which
is damaged
and finds that which was lost.”
He stopped long enough for his
words to sink in, then
continued.
“Should you fail to keep the oaths
you pledge,
The Elements themselves will reach
out and destroy, erasing all evidence of your existence.”
As the old man recited his final
words a swirling vortex of neon green and pure white light rose from the ground
at Buffy and Willows feet and grew until it surrounded the five figures at the
front of the altar.
The spinning lights rose into the
night sky the colors swirling and mixing intensifying growing stronger and
brighter with each word spoken until it covered the sky over the clearing
blocking out the moon and stars.
The light became so bright people
were forced to shield their eyes and were unable to look directly at the couple
and their sponsors.
Then as the light reached it’s
peak, Brigit reached up and quickly pulled the dagger out from between their
tightly bound hands.
Blood flowed freely from the bone
deep cuts across the palms of the Slayer and her Sorceress, mixing and running
onto the ground at their feet.
As the blood flowed their voices
rose in unison loud enough for all to hear.
“With this we are joined
Body to body
Mind to mind
Blood to blood
Two halves of
the some soul
Now and for
eternity
Friends, lovers,
soulmates, Sisters”
With a blinding flash the light
disappeared.
As if to signal the end of the
ceremony all four wolves got up and howled eerily then turned and trotted into
the trees, disappearing into the quickly dissipating fog.
Morrigan and Brigit gave the girls
goodbye hugs and stepped back allowing Lugh room to step up to the newly joined
couple and lay his hands on their shoulders.
The three looked into each others
eyes theirs shining with unshed tears of pure joy, his with pride in these two
brave young ones entering into a war that had begun before time and would
continue on long after they were gone, facing it unflinchingly, head-on with
full knowledge of the consequences of their choice even when other so called
great warriors would cower in fear.
“Be well young ones,” Lugh said,
his voice thick with unaccustomed emotions. “We will be together again, if not
in this life than the next.”
With that he joined the two women
and opened the portal.
“Do we leave them like this?”
Brigit asked not happy with leaving her one-time student and her Slayer to
their own devices
“Worry not dear one,” Lugh
reassured “We have yet to meet their wizard. He has yet to reveal himself.”
That said the two women followed
him through the portal that vanished as soon as they were through it.
The attendants hurriedly went to
the couple and untied the ribbon that held their hands together so they could
bandage the wounds from the dagger.
To their amazement when the women
examined the couples palms and washed off the remaining blood, there were no
open cuts, only matching scars that crossed their palms, obliterating their
lifelines.
After discussing it with the old
high priest, Buffy and Willow along with the four coven members that had seen
and heard everything, decided that it would be best not to discuss the unusual
occurrences the had happened that night.
The old priest made both of them
promise that after everything settled down the three of them would sit down and
have a long talk about their sponsors.
That problem dealt with, the party
followed their guests to another area where there was a large banquet hall that
had once been the mess hall for the camp site and began the festivities that
traditionally went with a proper joining ceremony.
At Buffy’s suggestion, she and
Willow acquired the keys to one of the cabins and claimed fatigue after back to
back parties. After suffering the inescapable snide remarks and lame sexually
suggestive jokes at their expense the two lovers slipped away from their
celebrating friends, old and new, and hurried through the primeval woods to one
of the well equipped cabins.
They stopped on the front porch
and Buffy followed Willow’s gaze up into the night sky and the slowly setting
moon.
“What’s up Wills?” Buffy asked
nuzzling her partner's neck, knowing full well the effect it had on her
passionate lover. “Don’t cha wanna go inside and get re-acquainted, babe?”
Kissing her way up the redhead’s
neck until she reached the ear, she took the sensitive lobe between her teeth
nipping it lightly causing the already aroused witch to moan loudly.
“Still wanna star gaze,
witchy-poo?” the blonde seductress purred into her lover’s shell like ear. “You
know there's a really nice hot tub in there just waiting for us to finish
communing with nature and start honeymooning.”
With a sexually charged growl
Willow spun around in Buffy’s arms and claimed the Slayers lips with her own.
Buffy ran her tongue over her
lover’s lips, demanding entrance that was gladly given. Tongues swirled around
each other exploring their lover’s sweet mouths.
Buffy coaxed Willow’s tongue into
her mouth and sucked on the squirming flesh as she held it in place with her
teeth forcing a whimper of surrender from the redhaired witch.
Lifting her lover Buffy carried
her partner into the cabin and kicked the door shut behind them.
Shadows of clothing flew across
the window shades. Squeals and giggles of delight soon were overcome by moans.
Growls and screams of undiluted animal pleasure filled the air around
the cabin, it's occupants safe and
secure guarded by state of the art security systems and by ancient and powerful
magiks that held back the terrors of the night.
A pair of malevolently glowing
eyes watched the cabin, listening to the hateful sounds of the two women that
the owner of the eyes despised more than anything else in the universe and felt
actual jolts of pain because of their pleasure.
It had tried earlier to enter the
grounds but was driven back by the area’s sacred status. That too heightened
his rage over the very existence of the two women.
<>Just wait, you whores of
the light.<> it thought, it’s mind seething with its’ insane rage.
<>You are alive because that bastard Kresis interfered with the mistress.
It won’t happen next time.<>
AND THERE WILL BE A NEXT TIME!
++++++++++
Fin
?
++++++++++
Hope ya liked it, it was fun to
write but it saddens me sometimes to know that some that inspired and
encouraged weren’t here to see it through. If there is anyway they’ll ever see
this I wanted to say thanks guys and good luck at whatever you’re doing.
Alex P.